Bipartisan coalition blocks Greene’s motion as Johnson holds on to leadership amid rising political tensions
In a dramatic and decisive vote on Wednesday, the U.S. House of Representatives blocked an attempt by Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene to remove House Speaker Mike Johnson from office. Her sudden motion was swiftly defeated by a coalition of Democrats and Republicans, signalling frustration across party lines over persistent political turmoil. Greene, known for her unwavering support of former President Donald Trump, presented a litany of grievances against Johnson but faced immediate resistance from fellow lawmakers who dismissed her move as counterproductive. Johnson’s leadership faced a critical test, and despite the challenge from a vocal minority within his own party, he managed to secure broad support, surviving the motion to vacate by an overwhelming vote of 359-43.
AP News:
The AP News article, co-authored by Lisa Mascaro and Kevin Freking, highlights Greene’s public indictment of Speaker Johnson, characterizing his leadership as “pathetic, weak, and unacceptable.” Greene’s motion to vacate was rapidly countered by House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, leading to a vote to table the resolution, which decisively kept Johnson in his role. Johnson acknowledged the internal challenges but emphasized his commitment to doing his job despite ongoing criticism. The article contextualizes this recent turmoil, noting it was only a few months ago that former Speaker Kevin McCarthy was ousted after losing support from a faction of his party. Greene’s motion exemplified the persistent challenges Johnson faced in balancing the interests of his fractured party. The article also notes how Democrats, led by House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, stood firmly against Greene’s efforts to “plunge the country into further chaos,” backing Johnson as a strategic measure. Trump also urged Republicans to focus on the upcoming elections, advising against the internal power struggle and lending Johnson crucial support during a precarious time.
Washington Post:
The Washington Post provides additional insights into the political dynamics following the vote. Journalists Clare Foran, Kristin Wilson, Lauren Fox, Annie Grayer, and Melanie Zanona report that Johnson framed Greene’s motion as a “misguided effort” while expressing gratitude for his colleagues’ “show of confidence” in him. They describe Johnson as aiming to use this victory to advocate for moving on to more pressing issues, recognizing that Democratic support might still expose him to criticism from his party’s far-right flank. The article recalls the bitter divisions following McCarthy’s removal, a scenario Johnson managed to overcome by unifying a reluctant Republican conference. The failed ouster attempt illustrated how Johnson’s decision to work with Democrats in securing foreign aid was a primary target of Greene’s frustration, yet only 11 Republicans joined her in opposition. Despite this setback, Greene remained undeterred, hinting at possible future efforts to remove Johnson and expressing gratitude to Trump for signalling potential support. The report details how Greene’s actions stunned her Republican peers, who viewed her motion as a move that would only create further division.
The Independent:
In their analysis, Katie Hawkinson and Eric Garcia of *The Independent* emphasize the stark divisions within the Republican Party highlighted by Greene’s attempt. Greene argued that Johnson’s cooperation with Democrats on issues like foreign aid betrayed conservative priorities, rallying her small group of loyalists to back her call. However, the article recounts the quick and overwhelming bipartisan pushback, with several Republicans dismissing Greene’s motion as “a gimmick, a joke, and laughable.” The authors detail how Greene proceeded despite warnings and criticism from fellow Republicans, pressing her grievances with Johnson and standing by her intent to expose what she saw as the erosion of core Republican values. They also describe how her manoeuvre exposed deep rifts within the GOP conference, with many seeing her as the face of unnecessary turmoil rather than a representative voice. They quote Rep. Carlos Giménez, who called Greene an “idiot” more interested in gaining attention than providing solutions. Johnson remained firm in his response, focusing on restoring functionality to Congress, while Greene remained vocal in her commitment to challenging his leadership if he continued policies she found objectionable.
